# Configure AI Voicemail Transcription with ElevenLabs Service

Cloud Voice can transcribe voicemail recordings into readable text using the ElevenLabs Speech to Text service. This page walks you through generating an ElevenLabs API (Application Programming Interface) key and connecting it to Cloud Voice so incoming voicemail audio is converted to text automatically.

:::tip
If AI Call Transcription is already set up against the ElevenLabs Speech to Text service, you don't have to re-enter everything. Turn on **Voicemail Transcription**, choose **Copy Settings from Call Transcription** to pull in the existing configuration, then adjust whatever you need.

![Reusing the call transcription configuration for voicemail transcription](/images/pbx/copy-ai-call-settings.png)
:::

## Requirements

Before you begin, confirm your system meets the following:

| Item | Requirement |
| --- | --- |
| Firmware | Version 84.23.0.83 or later. |
| Subscription | An **Enterprise Plan** or **Ultimate Plan** subscription, which makes the **AI Transcription** feature available. |

## Prerequisites

| Item | Prerequisite |
| --- | --- |
| Network access | Cloud Voice must be able to reach `api.elevenlabs.io` to call the ElevenLabs Speech to Text service. |
| ElevenLabs account | An ElevenLabs account with enough transcription-minute quota, along with its username and password. |

:::note
To confirm the ElevenLabs domain is reachable, run a ping test from the admin portal at **Maintenance > Troubleshooting > IP Ping**.
:::

## Step 1: Create an API key on ElevenLabs

Cloud Voice authenticates each request to the Speech to Text service with an API key, so create one on the ElevenLabs platform first.

1. Sign in to the [ElevenLabs Platform](https://elevenlabs.io/app/home) with your ElevenLabs username and password, then open **Developers > API Keys**.

   ![The API Keys page in the ElevenLabs developer console](/images/pbx/elevenlabs-api-key-list.png)

2. In the top-right corner of the key list, select **Create Key**.
3. Fill in the new key in the sidebar that opens.

   
   ![Cloud Voice, the sidebar for defining a new ElevenLabs API key](/images/pbx/elevenlabs-create-api-key-list.png)

   a. Enter a recognizable **Name** for the key.

   b. Under **Endpoints**, select **Access** next to **Speech to text**.

   c. Under **Administration**, select **Access** next to **Models**.

   :::caution
   Grant both permissions. The key needs the **Speech to text** endpoint to send voicemail audio and the **Models** permission (under **Administration**) to run the transcription model. If either grant is missing, Cloud Voice cannot complete transcription.
   :::

   d. Select **Create Key** in the bottom-right corner. A window appears with the generated key.

   ![The generated ElevenLabs API key shown in a confirmation window](/images/pbx/elevenlabs-auto-generated-api-key.png)

   e. Select **Copy to Clipboard** and store the key somewhere safe for the next step.

## Step 2: Configure voicemail transcription in Cloud Voice

With the API key in hand, set up the connection in the Cloud Voice admin portal.

1. Sign in to the admin portal and open **AI > AI Toolbox**.
2. Turn on **Voicemail Transcription**.
3. Enter the service details.

   ![Voicemail transcription settings using ElevenLabs as the provider](/images/pbx/configure-global-ai-voicemail-transcription-with-elevenlabs.png)

   a. Set **Service Type** to **Custom Service**.

   b. Set **Transcription Service Provider** to **Elevenlabs**.

   c. Paste the API key you copied from ElevenLabs into the **API key** field.

4. Under **Language**, choose the language to detect and transcribe in voicemail messages.

   :::note
   Choose **Auto Detection** to transcribe each audio segment of a mixed-language message in the language it was spoken.
   :::

5. In **Extension Scope for This Feature**, decide who can use voicemail transcription:
   - **All Extensions**: every extension has access.
   - **Specific Extensions**: only the extensions, extension groups, or departments you select have access.
6. Select **Save**.

## Result

When **Transcription Connection Status** shows **Enable**, voicemail transcription through the ElevenLabs Speech to Text service is active. Both group and extension voicemail recordings are now detected and converted to readable text in the language you chose.

![Voicemail transcription connection status showing the ElevenLabs service enabled](/images/pbx/voicemail-transcription-connection-status-elevenLabs.png)

:::note
You can set the transcription language per extension at **Extension and Trunk > Extension > AI > Voicemail Transcription > Language**. That per-extension language applies to the extension's personal voicemails and to group voicemails delivered in **Broadcast to Members** mode. For details, see [Configure AI Voicemail Transcription for an Extension](/pbx/ai-guide/configure-ai-voicemail-transcription-for-an-extension/).
:::